Caressant Care workers in Woodstock reach three-year deal

Employees working at Caressant Care Retirement Home in Woodstock voted overwhelmingly in favour of a new three-year collective agreement.

The new deal will affect about 50 workers at the retirement home.

Highlights of the agreement include two-per-cent wage increases for each year of the contract; increases to the weekend premium, responsibility premium, and benefits; improvements to the vacation grid for long-term staff; and a shortened qualifying period for pension enrolment.

Language improvements for the minimum shift length requirement and the possible implementation of master scheduling language for registered practical nurses were also added in the new contract.

“We are very pleased that the negotiations led to a deal that both sides are pleased with,” said Lee Griffi, manager of corporate communications.

The contract was negotiated by Southwestern Ontario Health Care and Service Workers Union, Christian Labour Association of Canada (CLAC) Local 303.

Caressant Care in Woodstock is the long-term care home where convicted serial killer Elizabeth Wettlaufer, a former nurse, murdered seven of her eight victims.

“This had created an interesting bargaining context, given the financial impact that had on Caressant Care and the subsequent challenges it created for the retirement home,” said James Koopman, CLAC representative, in a release. “Changes to the Employment Standards Act also added extra bargaining pressure. There’s been instability in recent times, but the committee was able to negotiate an agreement that provides long-term stability for the members at Caressant Care.”